We believe that routing shouldn't be a messy task, leaving you looking like a snowman covered head to toe in wood chips and dust. Experience the way woodworking should be with the Festool family of plunge routers, including the highly awarded OF 1010 and OF 1400 routers. These two routers are compatible with the soon-to-be-released CMS Router Table and are guaranteed to change the way you approach routing tasks forever.

Application Overview

Circular and arc segments can easily be produced using the MFS routing template and either a Festool OF 1400 or OF 2200 router. This example shows how a round counter top can be produced. The original panel is square with initial outer dimensions of 150 x 150 cm.

Preparation

For an arc segment, there is no direct center point available as there is for a circle. For this reason, the arc segment must be completely marked off to specify the external center point.

Mark a center line on the workpiece.

Mark an outer radius on the center line and then the inner radius.

Now mark off the desired arc lengths by moving from right to left (to the dashed lines).

Fit the MFS according to the instructions. In this case, the extension profile MFS VP 2000 is linked with two short MFS VP 200 or VP 400 profiles.

Adjust the copying ring holder so that it can move freely along the entire length of the MFS groove. This is important to ensure that the holder can be moved quickly and precisely. Now slide the copying ring holder into a corner, push the MFS profile together and fix it in place using the fixing screw. Finally, move the copying ring holder in the other corner, tighten the fixing screw on the MFS and check the free movement of the copying ring holder.

Insert the centring pin into the innermost groove of the MFS VP 2000 and fix it in place.

Mark off the 8 mm hole for the centring pin on the center line of the workpiece.

Drill an 8 mm hole in the panel (Fig. 528/06).

Clamp the bit in the router (at least 2/3 of the shank must be in the clamping collet).

Install the copying ring in the router.

Set the maximum routing depth and fix it by using the depth stop.

Tip: The contour of the arc segment can be marked off with the aid of the MFS (see image).

Setting up the MFS

Install the MFS with the centring pin in the hole in the panel.

Loosen the copying ring holder, put the router in the copying ring holder and move it to the outer radius marking.

Place the cutter on the workpiece surface.

Now align the cutting circle to the marking by rotating the cutter by hand. Repeat for the inner radius.

Fix the copying ring holder in place by tightening the fastening screw.

Attach the extractor unit to the router and secure the extractor hose.

Tip: The workpiece should be supported at 3 or 4 points so that there is no cutting of the MFT itself or the substructure below. This will prevent the workpiece from tipping over on the substructure.

Procedure

Clamp the workpiece to the MFT using the clamps.

With the router set at the first routing depth, (for multiplex, max. 5 – 8 mm per pass) plunge cut at the edge of the arc segment.

Rout the contour of the arc segment clockwise.

Now rout out the arc segment in several steps (more routing depths).

After routing the outer radius, as described in "Setting up the MFS", set the inner radius.

Rout the inner radius as described.

If it is not possible to rout the segment, part of the arc segment can be sawn with the help of the TS 55 plunge cut saw.

Sawing procedure:

Align the guide rail to the marking and clamp.

Set the TS 55 cutting depth using a depth stop.

Set the speed to 6.

Saw the arc segment at the marking.

Repeat on the other side as described.

Note: When plunge cutting, the saw blade must rest on the workpiece. This helps prevent the risk of kickback.

A special thank you to Charles Wilson for sharing his Writing Desk project in this edition of SysNotes. While Charles has a rather innovative use of the Domino as a locking mechanism in his desks, the tools he used most during the construction were the Festool 1400 EQ Router and MFS Multi-Routing Template System.

"I was recently commissioned to build some entry doors in the same style of a set I had previously built for a different client. The original doors' joinery was traditional mortise and tenon. The mortises were cut using a large plunge router, edge guide, and a jig that trapped the edge guide's fence. The tenons were cut on the router table. While the outcome was acceptable I wanted a simpler set up this time around. I also had more than double the number of doors to build and in a small shop simplifying things is about all you can do to stay efficient.Read more...

You may not have noticed but the new Festool MFK 700 Trim Router and OF 2200 Router both employ a newly designed collet.

The new design dramatically improves the service life of the collet and protects against the invasion of contaminates such as saw dust, solid surface dust and other abrasive materials that would normally damage the internals of the collet.

Manufactured to exacting tolerances and with the highest quality materials, Festool routers are designed to be both accurate and long-lasting.

Whether you are trim routing laminate or making heavy cuts in hard maple or solid surface material, we offer a router to meet almost any need. These routers offer unprecedented levels of usability with their built-in dust extraction, guide rail compatibility, and clever accessories.

Buy with confidence.

Buy with the confidence of knowing that if you are not completely satisfied with
your Festool purchase, you can return it to your place of purchase for a full, no-questions-asked
refund within 30 days. Festool power tools are covered by a comprehensive three
year limited warranty.